Battery storage at B&Q distribution centre

Kingfisher has unveiled plans to install energy storage batteries at B&Q's Swindon distribution centre. The installation is said to be the latest milestone in Kingfisher's strategic roadmap for sustainable growth to 2025 and moves the company towards its goal of becoming a net positive business by 2050.

Solarcentury will manage the installation with batteries supplied by Samsung. The system will complement an existing biomass boiler and chipper, which will provide renewable heat for the site.These installations form a key part of Kingfisher's aim to reduce grid energy consumption across its UK property portfolio. Kingfisher already purchases 100 per cent of its UK electricity from renewable sources.

The distribution centre uses 3.5 MW of power per year on average and is already powered by solar energy from 552 rooftop solar panels. Currently, around 35 per cent of the power generated by the solar panels at the site is exported back to the grid as surplus. The energy storage batteries will mean that this energy can be stored and released back to the building to provide power during periods of peak pricing. The timed release of energy can also support its overnight operations. The batteries will reduce the site's grid power consumption by 31 per cent, with some days where zero grid energy will be used to power the site.

The batteries will be supplied by Samsung and each rack is the size of a large domestic fridge-freezer. Each one has a capacity of 94.5 kW, with the total planned capacity equating to 756 kW. The batteries will be able to store 40 per cent of the power generated by the solar roof panels. The system will also power electric car charging points in the car park.